Ag-Horticulture Extension Agent

Posting NumberPG190878CE

position NumberNE-00112173-0726

Position Type NC Cooperative Extension

Job City & State Manteo, NC

Department NCCE Dare County

System Information

Working Title Extension Agent, Ag-Hort (Assistant, Associate, or Full)

Appointment12 Month Recurring

Job TypeFull-Time – PermanentFTE.9375

Position Overview

Essential Job Duties

Are you looking for a rewarding career that will let you give back to your community? NC State Extension extends research-based knowledge to all North Carolinians, helping them transform science into everyday solutions that improve their lives and grow our state. We are the model of excellence in non-formal, research-based education that advances agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, youth and communities, while creating prosperity for all North Carolinians. Working for NC State Extension allows you to teach without being tied to a classroom and school bell. Check out this video on what it’s like to work for NC State Extension.

No two days in Extension are ever the same, there is always something new! Extension Agents are active in their communities and often need to meet the clients when and where they are available. This is not your typical desk job!

While our employees are located in NC County offices, they reap the benefits of employment at NC State University. Some of our benefits include:· Paid time off· Paid tuition· Health Insurance· Flexible Scheduling
· Retirement Savings· Supplemental Benefits Programs· WolfPerks!
You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition(https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Primary Purpose of Position
This position will be responsible for Horticulture programming in Dare County. The Horticulture Agent is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating an outcome-based program addressing issues and opportunities identified in Dare County. The agent in this position must have technical competence in both consumer and commercial horticulture and in the delivery of non-formal education programs, and the identification of plants and pests and the diagnosis of plant problems. The agent in this position develops and works with stakeholder-based committees that provide direction for Extension programs; works with community organizations to effectively link Extension with local resources and clients; and assists effectively with recruiting, training, and managing Extension Master Gardener and other volunteers to expand outreach efforts. In addition, this agent will provide support to community gardens and work towards developing a youth horticulture program.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit
North Carolina Cooperative Extension gives our residents easy access to the resources and expertise of NC State University and NC A&T State University. Through educational programs, publications, and events, Cooperative Extension field faculty deliver unbiased, research-based information to North Carolina citizens.

Dare County has a strong and thriving Extension Master Gardener volunteer program. The 75 Master Gardener volunteers regularly assist at the Dare County Extension Center, maintain the Outer Banks Arboretum, and have responded to more than 10,539 contacts in 2024 and provided hours of service equaling over $203,000. The group provides educational programs for its members as well as delivers programs throughout the community.

Dare County is located in northeastern North Carolina along the Atlantic seaboard. Dare County stretches along almost 110 miles of shoreline known as the Outer Banks. The County seat at Manteo is approximately 200 miles east of Raleigh, the State capital, and 90 miles south of Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Virginia, metropolitan area. The County contains much of what is known as North Carolina’s “Outer Banks” resort and vacation areas and contains approximately two-thirds of the North Carolina coastline. Six municipalities are located within the county: Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Nags Head and Southern Shores. Dare County has a permanent population of approximately 38,000 residents.

For information about Dare County visit https://www.darenc.gov/
To learn more about the NCCE Dare County Center go to https://dare.ces.ncsu.edu/

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Agent works with homeowners, community groups, commercial horticultural crop producers, professional landscape and turf professionals, and others to increase their knowledge of horticultural issues and implementation of best management practices.
• Additional responsibilities include assisting with recruiting and training new Master Gardeners, pesticide education as it pertains to horticulture and the green industry, and developing and coordinating youth horticulture programs.
• This person must be self-directed, having the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities and schedules, have effective oral and written communication skills, and be willing to work with broad audiences. Grant writing and project management experience is essential. Computer, organization, interpersonal and networking skills are crucial for success. Ability to effectively deliver information via mass media including television, radio and social media is expected. Candidates must be willing to work with the staff to support the entire Extension program.
• The person in this position must possess a high degree of horticulture subject matter competence and excellent people and communication skills, be computer literate, and have the necessary education and experience to lead a strong Extension education program in the assigned areas.Primary Function of Organizational Unitdoes not show in postOther Duties and Responsibilities
• Duties and Responsibilitiesdoes not show in postOther Work/ResponsibilitiesThe professional in this position must be energetic, enjoy working with individuals as well as groups, be able to work with audiences, and have the ability to manage multiple tasks with little supervision. He/she must possess a high degree of subject matter competence, have the ability to work independently and as a team member interdisciplinary across subject matters as well as develop subject-matter-related 4-H youth horticulture programming.

SupervisoryNumber of Permanent Employees this Position Supervises 0

Requirements and Preferences

IWork Schedule 8:30 – 5:00, Monday – Friday, with some nights and weekends

Minimum Experience/EducationOne of the following educational requirements: – A Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 overall or a 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) in an agricultural or related field. The minimum GPArequirement will be waived for NCCE Program Associates with a Bachelor’s degree. – A Bachelor’s degree and the completion of at least one-half of coursework in a Master’s degree curriculum with a cumulative grade point average 3.0 or higher with at least one of the degrees in an agricultural or related field, or – Completion of a Master’s degree with at least one of the degrees in an agricultural or related field.Department Required Skills

• A bachelor’s degree in horticulture related field is required. The agent in this position must have technical competence in horticulture and be able to deliver educational programs.
• Travel within the district is required.
• Occasional travel outside the district is required

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

• A Master’s degree at time of hiring is desirable. The expectation is that a Master’s degree will be pursued after hiring. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Work experience with horticulture to include turf and ornamentals, home gardening, fruits and vegetables, pest management etc.
• Desired skills and abilities include the ability to manage volunteers, willingness to work as part of a team, strong written and verbal communication skills, and strong technology skills.

Required License or CertificationValid Driver’s License and reliable, personal transportation required. Valid North Carolinadriver’s license is required within 60 days of hire and must be maintained.
Valid NC Driver’s License required?Yes

Commercial Driver’s License Required?No

Physical Required?No

List any other medical/drug tests requiredRecruitment

Recruitment Details

Anticipated Hiring RangeMinimum Bachelor’s $40,000; Minimum Master’s $45,000; Minimum Doctorate $50,000 Commensurate with experience @ 1.00 FTE.Internal Transfer OnlyNoRecruitment DatesJob Open Date07/16/2026Applicant InformationQuick Linkhttps://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/232463EEONC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the Application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity?
  • NCSU Website
  • Job Alert (automated email from our system)
  • NCSU Executive Search Services
  • Monster.com
  • CareerBuilder.com
  • InsideHigherEd.com
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Other Online Job Board
  • Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
  • Job / Career Fair
  • The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Professional Journal
  • Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
  • Radio / Television Advertisement
  • Professional Organization
  • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
  • Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
  • NCSU Employee Referral
  • Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
  • Other
• * If you learned about this vacancy from “other source” or “other website”, please provide the source.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * All agent positions require a minimum education requirement of: A. A Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 overall or 3.0 in major field of study (based on a 4.0 scale); B. A Bachelor’s degree and the completion of at least one-half of coursework in a Master’s degree curriculum with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher; C. A completed Master’s degree. Do you meet this minimum education requirement?
  • Yes, I meet the requirement listed in section A above.
  • Yes, I meet the requirement listed in section B above.
  • Yes, I meet the requirement listed in section C above.
  • No, however I am in my last semester of study.
  • No, I do not meet this requirement.
• Please describe your experience (or philosophy if you do not have direct experience) of volunteer management.

  (Open Ended Question)

• Please describe your experience with grant writing and managing grants.

  (Open Ended Question)

• Please briefly discuss your experience, if any, with plants, gardening or horticulture (public gardens, nature preserves, garden centers or other botanically focused environments).

  (Open Ended Question)

Application Materials Required

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact Information for References